Three escapees from Sual police station recaptured

Police recaptured three inmates that escaped from a police detention facility in Sual, Pangasinan, authorities said on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

CCTV footage showed one detainee approaching the cell door repeatedly before another inmate tampered with the padlock. The two then forced the door open and slipped out when no officers were nearby.

According to Police Colonel Arbel Mercullo, director of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, the detainees manipulated the lock from inside the facility.

“Sila ay nakakulong doon, sinungkit nila ang kandado. Sa na-extract natin na video, nakita kung paano nila nasungkit. ‘Yung nagsungkit doon may kasong theft,” Mercullo said.

The escape happened around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 12. One of the detainees briefly returned inside to take a handheld radio before fleeing. Two other inmates followed, and all three escaped through the back of the station.

The suspects are facing charges including theft, carnapping and violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

The manhunt

Police launched a manhunt operation and arrested one of the escapees, a 36-year-old fisherman from Malasiqui, around 6 a.m. the same day.

Authorities believed the two remaining fugitives are still in the town. During the manhunt, Sual Mayor Dong Calugay offered a P100,000 reward for information that can lead to the arrest of the two remaining escapees.

At around 8 a.m. on April 14, police arrested a 26-year-old security guard in Sitio Madangla, Barangay Caoayan. He faces charges related to illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms.

Before noon, authorities arrested the third escapee, a 40-year-old man from Domalandan East, Lingayen.

He is facing charges of carnapping, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and illegal possession of firearms.

Probe into possible lapses

Mercullo said an investigation is underway into possible lapses by police personnel on duty at the time of the incident.

“Ongoing ang investigation natin doon sa lapses ng mga pulis kasi lumalabas na yung kandado sa loob ay naka-open at isang kandado lang ang naka-lock doon sa secondary lock,” he said.

The police chief of the Sual Police Station has been relieved from post, while seven other officers on duty are set to be removed pending investigation. —GMA Regional TV